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THE AMERICAN HUSBAND 
IN PARIS 




" • Well, your George, as you 
call him, is a great man' " 



THE LIBRARY OF 
CONGRESS, 

Two Copies Received 

APR. 26 1901 

Copyright entry 

aJiA.*<( . f 9° f 

CLASS (ft/ XXc. N«. 

Soqy 

COPY B. 



^6 



\* 



2 



£ 






Copyright, igoi 

By Anna Bowman Dodd 



^// rights reserved 



■ i C < I 



• • • o • 
• • • • 

• • c * • • • 



UNIVERSITY PRESS • JOHN WILSON 
AND SON • CAMBRIDGE, U.S.A. 




THE AMERICAN 
HUSBAND IN PARIS 



Chapter I 

CONTINENTAL HOTEL. Large 
and expensive suite on second floor. 
Drawing-room faces Jardin des Tui- 
leries. Room panelled in pink satin. 
Louis XV. furniture covered in mod- 
ern tapestry. White and pink azaleas 
in vases. Shaded electric lights. Ball- 
room effect. 

Enter Mr. and Mrs. George Nash, of 
New York, followed by long line of 
porters bearing hand luggage. 



2 The American Husband in Paris 

Mrs. Nash, pretty, slight, looking twenty- 
eight in smart tailor-made travel- 
ling-gown and coquettishly trimmed 
felt hat, twenty-five when in dinner 
costume, and forty when nervously 
prostrated or seasick. 

Mr. Nash, neither dark nor light, looks 
a worn fifty ; in reality two years 
his wifes senior. Wears a suit of 
clothes three years old and his wrinkles 
with equal indifference. Quick, restless 
eyes, infrequent, nervous gestures, other- 
wise manner quiet and self-possessed. 

George 

In the middle of the brilliant room with 
his hat on ; pushes it slightly back, 
as he looks about him. 

" Well ! I call this pretty fine — 
don't you, Louisa ? Rather a big price 
they'll ask for this outfit." (Turning 



The American Husband in Paris 3 

to waiter) " Avez-vous chambres — pettit 

— more pettit " — {breaking down with 
a muffled d — n). "I say, Louisa, ask 
him, can't you ? if he has n't something 
a little less ducal. We 're not travelling 
with a carriage and four." 

Waiter smiles above his correct white 
tie. Looks at Madame. Has assisted 
at too many such domestic comedies 
not to know what to expect* 

Mrs. Nash takes no notice. Orders 
porters about, bustles in and out of 
drawing-room, ante-chamber, and bed- 
room. Recognizes chambermaid ; has 
whispered conference with her. Finally 
remembers — after telling chambermaid 
what a dreadful passage they have had, 
and that she has n't brought May this 
year, and that she is perfectly exhausted 

— that George is somewhere, and has 
just said something. 



4 The American Husband in Paris 

Mrs. Nash 

" Oh — Ah — Yes — ■ The rooms are 
nice, are n't they, dear ? They 're the 
same dear, old rooms — the ones we 
always have." 

George {groans) 

Mrs. Nash 
"Why, George, what is the matter? 
Are n't you well ? " 

George {airily) 
" Oh, I 'm as well as can be expected, 
after paying for a young palace like this 
— all these years." 

Mrs. Nash 
Sotto voce, glancing apologetically at 

waiter, 

" George, please do remember we are 
not alone — Hem!" {To waiter, i7i 
French) " You may go now, we '11 ring " 
{waiter vanishes), " Oh, George, how 



The American Husband in Paris 5 

could you? — he's been here years; 
what will he think ? — when they 've 
done everything so beautifully, too ; put 
my favorite flowers about, in all the 
vases " {sniffs at flowers), " and re-covered 
the furniture, too. Is n't it too lovely ? 
For the Exposition, I presume." 

George 

" I don't know for whom or for what 
they 've done it; but you '11 find, I guess, 
it's we who'll pay for it." {Takes his 
hat off and looks dejectedly and resign- 
edly about him.) 

Mrs. Nash 
Gives him a quick, experienced glance, 
as if taking stock of a mental condition 
not new to her. Steps lightly to win- 
dow ; exclaims in tones of artificial 
gayety : 

"Oh, George, you must come; do 
look at the gardens ; are n't they lovely ? 



6 The American Husband in Paris 

So green and cool ! How natural they 
do look. Everything is just as it used 
to be — if it is Exhibition year." 

George (examining gardens) 

" Well, you '11 find there will be one 

thing that won't be the same — this 

year." 

Mrs. Nash 

Goes toward the largest mirror to take 
out her hat-pins, 

" What won't be the same, George ? " 
(She is conscious of trying to be very 
patient with him,) 

George (sententious ly) 

" The bill ! " 

Mrs. Nash 

Turns quickly to face him as she takes 
out her hat-pins. 

" George Nash, I won't have expenses 
mentioned — or — or — money. I told 



The American Husband in Paris 7 

you that at the beginning. This is a 
pleasure trip. When I come over, I 
make it a point, always, to forget every- 
thing — all the disagreeables." 

George {dryly) 

" So I Ve noticed — can't even re- 
member when you 've overdrawn your 
letter of credit ! " 

Mrs. Nash 

Again quickly diagnoses her husband *s 
mood. 

"George, I believe you're hungry — 
that 's what 's the matter with you ! As 
for me I 'm starved, that long railroad 
journey from Cherbourg always does 
take it out of me. No, not that, thafs 
the curtain cord — it 's there, over by 
the door, the third below the electric 
button — yes, that 's it." 



8 The American Husband in Paris 

George (rings. More cheerfully) 

"Well, little woman, I guess you're 
about right. I do feel a trifle empty." 
(Enter waiter?) 

George 

Fixing waiter solemnly with his eyes y but 
addressing his wife. 

" Louisa, do they understand making 
an American cocktail in this hotel ? " 

Waiter (in English) 
" Yessir. Wat zoo hav ? " 

George (with great animation) 

" Two Martinis, and quick — do you 

hear?" 

Mrs. Nash 

" George ! you know I 'm forbidden! — 
Waiter, waiter, bring some crac — some 
biscuits." ( Waiter nods knowingly and 
disappears.) 



The American Husband in Paris 9 

Mrs. Nash 

With a sigh of relief as she sinks into 
a fauteuil whose down pillows melt 
under her as if they were of water. 
Leans her head back. Suddenly re- 
members that George s worst fault, 
after talking about expenses, is his 
liking for cocktails. With great ani- 
mation. 

" George, I do hope you are going to 
give up your cocktail habit, now you 're 
over here. You know what the doctor 
said : No stimulants ; only a little 
whiskey and water at dinner, and a 
light white wine at breakfast ! " 

George 

" At breakfast ! I have n't got that 
far yet, thank Heaven ! " {Chuckles softly 
as he settles his head against a Boucher 
shepherdess s sky-blue brocade ; rubbing 
his head against the tapestry?} 



I o The American Husband in Paris 

Mrs. Nash 

Wearily. George s coarser sense of 
humor as contrasted with her own 
exquisitely refined quality makes her 
constantly marvel at her own goodness 
to him, 

" I suppose you think that 's funny. 
But it is n't. Because, over here lun- 
cheon is always called breakfast — 
dejeuner a la — Oh!" (she jumps up) 
" there they are ! " 

( Waiter enters, bearing tray) 

Mr. and Mrs. Nash simultaneously close 
in about both. 

George 

Lifting his glass, eyes his wife lovingly* 

" Well, Louisa, here 's to our first trip 
abroad." 



The American Husband in Paris 1 1 

Mrs. Nash 

Reproachfully, gulping a little, as she 

tries not to swallow, 

"And, oh, George, to dear May! 
How could you forget her ? " ( They 
drink swiftly, both smiling now.) 

George 

The first to deposit his glass. Fumbles 
in his pocket in answer to telegraphic 
signal from waiter s eye, 

"Well, Louisa, I guess this hotel is 
all right. That 's as good a cocktail as 

I could get at Del's." 

{Exit waiter,) 

Mrs. Nash 

She has drained her glass. Rises and 
throws her arms impulsively about her 
husband's neck, 

"Oh, George, I can't — I don't want 
to scold — or — or to find fault. I 'm 



1 2 The American Husband in Paris 

too happy. To have you here at last in 
this dear, little room — " 

George {rolling his eyes about) 
" Little ! " 

They both laugh, Louisa seats herself 
on the arm of his chair. Takes his 
head between her hands. 

"You are such a goose, I have half 
a mind not to kiss you. There ! Now 
behave, or I shan't, you goosie. How- 
many more do you want? Oh-h, don't. 
You're pulling my back hair — the 
pinned part. Why I wear pins in my 
hair? Oh-h, every one does. And 
you gave me this one my last birth- 
day — the diamond and pearl one, you 
know." {She jumps up as if startled?) 
"Why! who was that? Ah-h, Marie. 
Who 's Marie ? The chambermaid; been 
here years; perfectly devoted to us. 



The American Husband in Paris i 3 

She adores May — dresses and un- 
dresses her." {She reseats herself) 

George 

With his hands once more hi position 
about his wifes waist. 

" Well, you seem to be pretty much at 
home here, I must say." 

Mrs. Nash (with emphasis) 

" I should hope I was ; think of the 
years I 've been coming over." 

George (a little sadly) 
" Yes, my dear, I remember them all." 

Mrs. Nash (in a hurt tone) 

" George ! how can you ? You know 
it has only been for the children's sake ; 
for Kirtie's and May's French ; and to 
cure me of nervous prostration, or to 
get rid of the grip, or house-keeping, or 



1 4 The American Husband in Paris 

— or to economize, on clothes." {Almost 
on the verge of tears)} 

George 

Smiling indulgently, with eyes sparkling 
with suppressed laughter. 

" Yes, yes, I know. Don't get ex- 
cited, little woman. It's all right. I 
wasn't reproaching you. Only, I do 
get lonely — sometimes. But it 's all 
right. I 'm here now, sure enough. 
Shall have you all to myself, too. We '11 
have a good time, too, together, won't 
we, old lady?" 

Mrs. Nash 

She has the rapt look of one who has 
signed a compact with their good angel 
Takes her husband by the coat lapel, 
and eyes him closely as she enunci- 
ates, with solemnity : 
" George Nash, I 'm going to make 

you a well man — do you hear? It's 



The American Husband in Paris 1 5 

going to be my one sole object, this 
trip, to get that liver of yours to act, 
and to cure your insomnia." 

George 

The tired look on his face gone. He 
looks ten years younger as he clasps 
his wife (lightly kissing her). 

" Well, I guess we '11 have some fun 
thrown in." 

Mrs. Nash 

Laughs. Suddenly stiffens, and sits up- 
right. With conviction, as she looks 
towards bedroom. 

"That is Marie !" {Jumps swiftly 
to the ground, colors like a girl. To 
George, in a half whisper:} "She saw 
us — you kissing me. She was watch- 
ing ; they all do ; you can't trust one 
of them." ( Walks briskly towards open 
door, saying, in high, flat key :) " Je viens, 



1 6 The American Husband in Paris 

Marie, justement je vous entendais " etc., 

etc. 

George 

Listens to his wife's French with fixed 
attention. Nothing seems natural to 
him save the flatness of her tone. 

" Well, Louisa 's got the lingo, sure 
enough." {Meditates deeply on Louisa s 
many accomplishments. Looks round the 
room. Sees his hat. Finds it suggestive. 
Claps it 07i and moves towards entry 
door. Talks softly to himself?) " I be- 
lieve I will. By Jove ! that Martini 
was good." 

(Goes out of door quickly?) 




Chapter II 

NEXT MORNING. HOUR, NEARLY NOON 

71 /fIZS. NA SH' S bedroom presents 
J. VJL a most disorderly aspect. Trunks 
yawn. Huge trays filled with tissue 
paper are perilously perched on Louis 
XIV. arm-chairs, marqueterie tables, and 
both beds. Open wardrobes and inner 
closets show closely serried lines of rich 
gowns. Hats, bonnets, new boots, laces, 
gloves, and ball-bodices are piled on top 
of mantel-pieces and bureaux, 

Mrs. Nash in loose white peignoir, 

slightly flushed. Head is bowed over 

largest trunk. 

2 17 



1 8 The American Husband in Paris 

George enters. Looks fresher, has a 
slight approach to color in his sallow 
cheeks. Seems in high spirits. Tosses 
his hat on top of lace ball-waist. Mis- 
takes it for a pillow-sham. 

George {airily) 
"Well, Louisa, — nearly ready?" 

Mrs. Nash 

With head still engulfed in trunk hol- 
low. Scornfully. 

" Ready ? It looks like it, does n't 
it ? " {Emerges with armful of fleecy 
underwear. Sorting these with fine en- 
ergy into bureau drawers?) " Some of 
us have something else to do besides 
flan-e-ing all over Paris." 

George {pricking up his ears) 

" Flannelling ? What does that 
mean ? " 



The American Husband in Paris 1 9 

Mrs. Nash 

With explanatory precision, from the 
furthermost depths of an inner closet. 

" Flan-e-ing — American for the 
French verb to ' flaner,' to gape in 
shop windows and to — " 

George 

" I '11 make a note of it. Seems to be 
a good word. Well, things do look 
topsy-turvy. Why don't you call in 
the chambermaid ? She '11 put things 
to rights." 

Mrs. Nash 

In resigned tone, sorting dozens of silk 
stockings. 

"That's just like a man; I don't 
own Marie, George. In a hotel like 
this — " 



20 The American Husband in Paris 

George (lightly) 

" Oh-h, I thought you did. The tip 
you gave her last night would buy most 
any of them, I should say." 

Mrs. Nash 

Confronting him with dignity across 
pile of summer shirt-waists, 

" I should think, George, I understand 
the system of European tipping by this 
time." 

George (whistling softly) 

" I guess you do, Louisa." (He fidgets 
about, A short pause. Louisa spying 
her husband 's hat on her best tulle bodice. 
Gives him a terrible look as she whisks 
hat off) " Are n't you most ready ? It 's 
almost one ; and I 'm as hungry — " 



The American Husband in Paris 2 1 

Mrs. Nash 

Forgetting her determination to say all 
she felt about his always misplacing 
his things. 

" Why, George ! You said you 
should n't want breakfast till past 
one — " 

George 

" That was before I had begun to 
realize my mistaken confidence in the 
cafe-au-lait system! A man can't go 
about Paris for three hours and not 
be convinced that these Frenchmen 
knew what they were about when they 
made eleven and twelve the national 
breakfasting hour." 

Mrs. Nash 

Laughing in spite of herself. Turns 
despairing look about room. Sweeps 
armful of petticoats into an empty 



2 2 The American Husband in Paris 

trunk, making a place for her hus- 
band to sit down. As she proceeds 
to "do up" her back hair she asks 
pleasantly : 

" By the way, where did you go this 
morning ? You Ve been gone hours." 

George fumbling, with the awkward- 
ness of a school-boy, with some laces 
near by. The white underwear, the open 
trunks, his idleness, Louisa dressing at 
high noon, recall his honeymoon, some- 
how. Has a strange, broken-loose feel- 
ing. He would like to kiss Louisa; 
but reconsiders rash impulse, experi- 
ence having taught him women seem 
to be offish when "doing up" their 
back hair. 

Mrs. Nash 
Coiling her long, light locks. 
" Well, did n't you hear ? " 



The American Husband in Paris 2 3 

George 

As if awaking from a dream. 

" Oh — Ah — Oh — I just wandered 
about. Wanted to see what the place 
was like." 

Mrs. Nash 

" Geor-ge, how could you ? When 
you knew how I had counted on being 
with you from the very first — sharing 
your very earliest impressions." 

Mrs. Nash's sense of personal loss 
in witnessing the effect her beloved 
Paris would make upon her untravelled 
better half was so poignant that she 
" did " her coil without raising her hand- 
glass. She pinned the knot by feeling. 

George 
More and more conscious of a large, 
gnawing emptiness. 

" Oh ! there '11 be impressions enough 



24 The American Husband in Paris 

to go round, I dare say. Aren't you 
most ready ? " 

Mrs. Nash, after giving not more than 
twenty-five minutes to putting on her 
costume, bonnet, etc., and ten to care- 
fully pinning on her veil, leans her 
face towards her husband. 

" Do I look nice ? " 

George (rising ; he kisses her) 

" Sweet as a peach ; prettiest woman 
in Paris — and the youngest." 

Mrs. Nash 

With the smile of one who has received 
her deserts. 

" It is nice having you over, Georgie 
dear — " {kisses him lightly). u But — 
what are you looking for?" 



The American Husband in Paris 25 

George 

Fussing about among the hats and gloves 
on mantel-piece, 

" Where is that Baedeker ? I laid it 
down here — I could swear." 

Mrs. Nash 

With a little scream of scorn* 

" Baedeker ? Why, you poor, mis- 
guided dear, what in the world would 
you be doing with a Baedeker ? " 

George {innocently) 
" Why, after lun — breakfast, I mean, 
we 're to do some sight-seeing, are n't 
we?" 

Mrs. Nash (with a sinking feeling) 

"Sight-seeing? Why, yes, of course — 
we can, I suppose, only — " 

She stops. Her emotions prevent 
further utterance. The thoughts of all 



26 The American Husband in Paris 

she had counted on doing almost hurt, 
there were so many of them. She had 
telephoned Mademoiselle Mathilde, her 
particular ally at Paquins', she would be 
there at two, to order some gowns 
she must have at once ; she was posi- 
tively ashamed to be seen even driving 
in the things she had brought over — 
not a gown but was at least six months 
old — skirts had changed so ! At four 
she had expected to take a hurried look 
at Virot's hats, and have just a few sent 
in on approval. Then to the Louvre, 
for odds and ends ; and there, at five, 
she had thought George might call 
for her, when they would take a turn 
in the Bois, just to see who was in 
Paris. With all this to be done, how 
could George be so absurd as to ex- 
pect her to go sight-seeing, and the 
first day in Paris, too! Really it was 
too absurd. 



The American Husband in Paris 27 

George 

Continuing to eye her, as if he were 
reading her thoughts. Smiles as if 
amused at what he read. 

"Well, what's up, old lady? Out 
with it ! Anything to prevent ? " 

Mrs. Nash 

In her turn reading her husband? s face. 
Quickly decides to give up everything^ 
and make a martyr of herself. 

" Oh, no, dear, there 's nothing to 
prevent ; we 11 do as many sights as 
you like, only, please, no Baedeker. 
That would be a little too much. One 
might as well be a ' Cook.' Besides, 
I 've done them all, again and again. 
I '11 be your Baedeker." {Sweeps ahead 
of him out of room towards lift.) 

George watches his wife's perfectly 
fitting " Paquin " back in her six-months- 



28 The American Husband in Paris 

old-now-out-of-date jacket vanish into 
entry. Then pockets Baedeker. 

Mrs. Nash 
As he joins her, pressing lift button. 

" Dear me, we women now-a-days 
have to be up on our facts and dates, 
or our clubs would go to pieces." 

George 

Says nothing, but smiles. He also thinks. 
After emerging into lower corridor, 
remarks, with an air of great inno- 
cence : 

" By the way, Lou, I was at the Place 
de la Concorde this morning, and stood 
just where Louis XVI. did when he was 
guillotined. Do you remember the 
exact date ? 177- or '90, was it ? ' : 

Mrs. Nash 
Hastily, with almost angry vehemence. 
"1776, of course; the veriest school- 



The American Husband in Paris 29 

boy knows that date. Why, if there 
isn't Mrs. Goodman! Who can she 
have with her ? " 

George 

With animation, after suppressing 

laughter, 

" That gentleman coming towards us 
is Chief Justice Goodman." 

Mrs. Nash 
Excitedly, to large lady in youthful 
attire, bearing down upon them, fol- 
lowed by stately personage. 
"Actually, Mrs. Goodman, you here! 
Already! I thought I should get 
the start of you this year. No, I 
have n't brought May with me this 
year. I 've brought my husband. Mrs. 
Goodman, let me present Mr. Nash. 
Ah! glad to make your acquaintance, 
Judge; heard so much of you! Yes, 
it 's Mr. Nash's first trip. Well, I hope 



30 The American Husband in Paris 

you are not going to martyrize your 
wife as George — as Mr. Nash — is me. 
Just think, Mrs. Goodman, we're actu- 
ally — going to the Exposition? Oh, 
dear me, no ! Nothing as up to date as 
that. George — Mr. Nash — insists on 
doing Old Paris before he goes any- 
where. Is n't it absurd ? Do tell me, 
Mrs. Goodman, have you seen Made- 
moiselle Mathilde yet; and have the 
tight hip-skirts gone out ? I heard — " 

The two men now hear both ladies 
talking at once. All seated a few 
seconds later at same table. George 
whispers to waiter. A minute later the 
two gentlemen bow gravely over their 
cocktails. They drink solemnly, as if 
performing a religious rite. 

The Judge {mentally) 

" He 's a younger man than I sup- 
posed he was; bad color, though." 



The American Husband in Paris 3 1 

{Aloud.) " Over here for pleasure, Mr. 
Nash ? " 

George 

" No-o — and yes. My doctor seemed 
to think my time for Carlsbad had 
come." 

The Judge 

" We all get there sooner or later." 

George (mentally) 

" First-rate, the Judge. Kind of man 
I like." 

They talk during breakfast, deepen- 
ing their tone to be heard above the 
ladies' stream of talk, in which the words 
Doucet, Raudnitz, Paquin, Mademoiselle 
Berthe, Mademoiselle Mathilde, Ma- 
dame Paquin, Callot Soeurs, Virot, and 
"the new corset " recurred with the 
iteration of a refrain. 




Chapter III 

SIGHT-SEEING AFTER BREAKFAST 

/'NSIDE Hotel Court Mrs. Nash 
in bewitching Virot toque. Bought 
two months since at home, of "Juliette" 
with house-money ; fruit of economies 
in early vegetables. Had felt she really 
must have one of Virot' s " inspirations " 
in mixed violets and morning-glories. 
There were only six " originals " in New 
York. In spite of knowing her hat was 
" the thing " and immensely becoming 
(violets and a white dotted veil to a 
woman of the right sort will take off ten 
years, if worn in early spring), Mrs, 

32 



The American Husband in Paris 3 3 

Nash also wore a shade of gloom on her 
pretty face. Doing her whole duty to- 
ward George she found somewhat de- 
pressing. 

Mrs. Nash 

" Now, George, we 11 start " — (with 
a sigh) " there '11 be at least three whole 
hours before we can think of going to 
the Bois." 

George {briskly) 

" I 'd better get a cab, had n't I ?" 

Mrs. Nash 

Buttoning her glove with the air of an 
early Christian martyr. 

" Ye-e-s, I suppose so ; though, really, 
to go in a cab to the Bois — no one 
does, you know, except dukes and 
Americans." 

George {laughing) 

" Well, what are we ? " 
3 



34 The American Husband in Paris 

Mrs. Nash {with superior air) 
"Oh-h, I mean raw Americans — the 
kind one never sees except over here." 

George 

The patriot in him suddenly aflame. 

" Really, Louisa Jane, I can't see but 
that one American is as good as an- 
other. I hate that snobbish — " 

Mrs. Nash 

Deeply offended at being called by her 

baptis7nal name. 

" You are forgetting yourself, George; 
had n't you better call a cab, than begin 
by calling me — " 

George 
Repentant, feeling he has nt been quite 

the gentleman. 

" Perhaps you 'd rather have one of 
these things you spoke of this morning 
— ' Remeeses ' ? " 



The American Husband in Paris 3 5 

Mrs. Nash 

Quickly forgetting her ill-humor. 

"Oh, George, that is nice of you — " 
{Hardly waits to end sentence before 
attacking head porter. Bustles back in a 
trice with excitement.) " George, aren't 
we lucky? Just think, Francois, the 
man we always have, May and I, you 
know, is free. Joseph 's telephoning for 
him now. I am so relieved ; he 's the 
best driver in Paris. I feel perfectly 
safe with Francois, and you know how 
timid I am." 

George {smiling) 

" I Ve some notion of it. Let me see, 
how long is it since you ve let me drive 

you ? " 

Mrs. Nash 

In high good humor. Perceives Fran- 
cois driving in. 

" If you will prefer thoroughbred 



36 The American Husband in Paris 

colts to your wife's society — " (Breaks 
off distractedly as carriage stops before 
them. Coachman in irreproachable livery 
touches hat with certain familiarity^) 

Mrs. Nash 
With foot on carriage step. 

" Ah, Francois, ca va bien ? et les 

petits ? " 

Francois 

> 

Without touching his hat. 

" Oui, Madame, Dieu merci. Madame 
se porte-t-elle toujours bien, et Made- 
moiselle ? " 

George {impatiently) 

" What in thunder is he getting off? 
Tell him to drive on, and stop his rig- 
marole." 

Mrs. Nash 

"Why, George, I was just asking 
about his wife and dear little children. 



The American Husband in Paris 3 7 

Dear me, how thoughtful he is. My 
cushion, the one I like " {settles it into 
the small of her back) ; " and here 's my 
card rack — and the mirror" {takes it 
out of its case, rearranges the top of her 
veil, pulling it down under the chin), 
" and — and everything. I always did 
love this carriage — it just fits my back. 
Now, George, confess this is nicer than 
a dirty public cab ? " 

George 

" Well, yes ; I think it is. I had one 
of the other kind this morning." 

Mrs. Nash 
Turning quickly towards him, 

" Where in the world did you go ? " 

George 

" Oh, I took a turn around. I guess 
he drove me to the Arch de — what do 
you call it ? " (Pulls out his Baedeker.) 



3 8 The American Husband in Paris 

Mrs. Nash 

Hastily putting out gloved hand. 

" George, for Heaven's sake, not here." 
{In excited scream as carriage stops.) 
" Will you see where he 's brought us ? " 

George 

Looking up towards flower- trimmed 
rows of windows. 

"Well, what is there to see here? 
Looks pretty — " 

Mrs. Nash 

Almost hysterically. Nothing but her 
strong sense of duty keeps her in her 
seat. 
" My dear, it 's — it 's Paquin's ! " 

George (jocosely) 

" Well, he keeps up pretty good style ; 
he ought to, with the checks we Amer- 
icans send over to him." 



The American Husband in Paris 3 9 

Mrs. Nash {quickly) 

" Francois, a la Conciergerie ; et 
marchez vite." 

Francois (with puzzled look) 
" Madame dit ? " 

Mrs. Nash 

"Conciergerie — l'autre cSte de la 
Seine " {as she sinks back among her 
cushions with the resignation of a suf- 
fering saint). " I fancy Francois is the 
most astonished man in Paris." 

George {dryly) 

"You generally bring May over, I 
suppose, for Paquin to ' finish her.' " 

Mrs. Nash {with lofty air) 

" Oh, we did all our sight-seeing 
years ago." 



40 The American Husband in Paris 

George 

" Let me see. Years ago May was in 
baby clothes — she was only sixteen 
last June." 

Mrs. Nash 

With unwonted animation, seeing the 
Towers of le Palais de la Cite across 
the bridge. 

" George, look, there are the towers 
— and the Conciergerie — you know. 
Are n't they fine ; so feudal and middle- 
age ; are n't they ? Every time I see 
them I seem to see the Paris of old 
feudal times, and the Revolutionary 
days. Poor Marie Antoinette was im- 
prisoned here, you know, and from that 
window — " 

A few minutes later Francois drives 
them past the towers. 



The American Husband in Paris 4 1 

George {half out of carriage) 

" Umph, pretty good towers, these. 
They 're something like — Where do 
you get in ? " 

Mrs. Nash {catching his coat-sleeve) 

" There 's nothing to see inside — 
nothing." 

George {taking out Baedeker) 

" Umph, we '11 see about that." {Skims 
the leaves^ 

Mrs. Nash 

" George, dear, we '11 go in another 
day ; with all there is ahead of us, this 
afternoon we really can't." {Takes his 
Baedeker out of his hand and hides it 
behind her back. Although it is the 
other side of the Seine, there is no telling 
who might be going to the Bon Marche. 
To Francois, with her saint's voice)} " A 
Notre Dame, Francois." 



42 The American Husband in Paris 

Francois (sotto voce to his horses) 

" Ah ! mais, si on me fait trotter 
comme 9a demain je file de bonne 
heure. Le vieux est assommant avec 
son guide." 

In front of Notre Dame Mr. and Mrs. 
Nash alight. 

Mrs. Nash 

" I '11 look in here, with you. It 's 
time for vespers. The singing is always 
so good here, and the incense — I do 
love the smell of incense. It 's so poetic, 
so — so religious somehow. I used to 
bring May once or twice a month; just 
for the influence, you know." 

George inwardly resolves to keep May 
at home hereafter. Concludes good 
Americanism is what she needs. Is 



The American Husband in Paris 43 

beginning to understand a good many 
things that were dark to him before. 

Mrs. Nash 

Now inside cathedral. Amiably, with 
desire to leave no stone unturned in 
her monument of duty. 

" The cathedral, George, is Norman, 
with Gothic apse; the back view from 
the river is wonderful — all arches and 
flying buttresses. These arches — " 

George {with his head bent back) 

" How many feet high did you say it 
was ? " 

Mrs. Nash 

" George, how can you ? What have 
feet to do with feeling ? Can't you be 
satisfied with the — the vastness and 
mystery ? and, oh, the color and gloom 
of it all ! " (She sighs deeply?) 



44 The American Husband in Paris 

George's want of true sentiment is 
once again forcibly borne in upon her. 
It is in such moments as these that she 
feels that her finer sensibilities have been 
wasted ; her artistic poet's soul has never 
found its true mate. George is dear, of 
course, but so American ! 

George 

Longing really to see the great church, 

" Louisa, is n't that young Richmond 
Trevise over there, with that pretty 
girl, and — ? " 

Mrs. Nash 

Forgetting her lonely soul-life. 

" Why, that 's the tall Miss King he 's 
with ; and, yes, that 's Mrs. Trevise with 
them. It must be true; George, you 
just go about a little by yourself and I '11 
run over and speak to Mrs. Trevise." 
(Crosses nave, bowing prettily to altar.) 



The American Husband in Paris 45 

George, entirely happy now, pulls out 
Baedeker. In ten minutes has seen 
choir, side chapels, has measured bays, 
calculated height of nave as contrasted 
with Old Trinity, inspected organ, old 
glass, and is ready for sacristy and the 
vestments ; after which proposes to climb 
to roof to see gargoyles. Looks for 
Louisa. After waiting a good twenty 
minutes Mrs. Nash reappears. 

Mrs. Nash 

" Ah, George, here you are ! Won't 
you speak to — Ah ! they Ve gone out; 
I see — " 

George 

In bad temper, looking towards advanc- 
ing figure, 

" Ask the sexton, will you, to show us 
the sacristy. I want to see — " {stalking 
towards cowled monk). 



46 The American Husband in Paris 

Mrs. Nash 

"George! that's a Franciscan monk; 
can't you see ? " 

Franciscan monk smiles. He is Eng- 
lish. Passes on, clicking his sandals. 

George 

" All look the same to me. Where is 
the sexton, anyway ? " 

Mrs. Nash {with her superior air) 

" Sacritan they call them here. But 
it 's past the hour ; they only show the 
treasures between ten and four." {Leads 
way towards door.) 

George {still cross) 

" If you had n't wasted a good half- 
hour on old Mrs. Trevise — " 



The American Husband in Paris 47 

Mrs. Nash 

" Half an hour ! Why, I was n't gone 
a minute. I only had time to ask her — " 
{As carriage drives up lifts her voice?) 
" Francois, au Louvre." 

When carriage turns into Rue de 
Rivoli George forgets his grievance. 

George 

" Why, Lou, how 's this ? There are 
the Tuileries gardens again ! " 

Mrs. Nash 

With fatigued but patient smile, 

" My dear, the Louvre is one end of 
palaces of which the Tuileries, before 
they were burnt, were the other. Really, 
I 'm beginning to think Baedeker would 
be a blessing, after all." 



48 The American Husband in Paris 

George produces his Baedeker. Mrs. 
Nash feels now as if she could put up 
with anything. Is sure one of her head- 
aches is coming on. This trying to see 
all Paris in one afternoon would be too 
much for any woman's nerves. 

Mrs. Nash 
Suddenly, with a cry, as carriage stops. 

" Mais non, Francois, au Palais — 
Pavilion de Flore. Will you see where 
he has brought us ? " {Points exultingly 
to windows of Magazin du Louvre.) 
" What a memory that man has ! May 
and I always come here, the first thing, 
for gloves." 

George (with amused smile) 

"Seems to know the family habits 
pretty well, I must say. I know some 
men who would n't want him for their 
coachman." 



The American Husband in Paris 49 

Mrs. Nash has heard nothing. She 
feels as if she were turning her back 
on a paradise of bargains. " Vente au- 
jourd'hui " — " Sale to-day " — stabs her, 
like a knife, from every window. Re- 
solves she will get up early to-morrow 
morning, before George, and see if 
there are any good bargains left. 

Mrs. Nash 

Soliloquizes mentally as she lies back 
among the pillows, gazing on vacancy. 

" This bringing George over, after all, 
is perhaps a mistake. We might quite 
as well have gone to White Sulphur in 
March. And really, if I am to be 
dragged around like this, day after day, 
I shall be a wreck. Sight-seeing is the 
most exhausting thing; and when it 
comes to trying on ! Oh, well ! George 
must learn to go about by himself." 
(Aloud, sweetly) " George, dear, I thought 
4 



5 o The American Husband in Paris 

we 'd take just one turn through the 
Louvre before going to the Bois." 

George 

"All right, my dear, anything you 
like." {Mentally) " We '11 gallop through, 
I suppose, as we did through the church. 
Oh, well, I '11 get up early to-morrow 
and see the thing thoroughly." 




Chapter IV 

THE LOUVRE 

rj^HE SALON CARRE as it was 
JL before recent changes, George 

stops in middle of the great room. Looks 

about him with the air of a connoisseur. 

Makes a direct line for Leonardo s Lady. 

Stands before it in perfect silence. 

Mrs. Nash seats herself on long crimson 
bench; glances languidly at copyists. 
The originals, of course, she knows by 
heart. How many times she has had 
to climb those stairs and stand hours 
before Rubenses and Murillos till her 
51 



5 2 The American Husband in Paris 

back was nearly broken ! But what 
will not a mother do for her child? 
May s taste had to be trained in art. 
And now she was about to resume her 
role of instructress to George ! Lifts 
her eyes to Murillds Madonna and 
feels she too should have had her 
apothe — was it osis or esis ? By the 
way, where was George ? 

Mrs. Nash 
Recognizes her husband's back. Moves 
towards him. 

" Well, George." 

George (not turning) 

" It 's darker than I thought it would 
be ; but that smile ! It 's a living thing, 
that smile, Louisa." 

Mrs. Nash {much amused) 
" Why, George, how excited you are ! " 



The American Husband in Paris 5 3 

George, immovable, keeps on looking 
at Mona Lisa. 

Mrs. Nash 

Feeling herself rather slighted* 

" Oh, well, if you don't care to talk 
about the pictures, I '11 go and sit down 
again." (Keeps standing close beside 
him.) 

George (rousing himself) 

" Oh, we '11 go on, if you like. But a 
picture like that, when you 've waited 
years to see it, does take hold of one." 
(Looking up at Murillo in passing?) 
"Yes, that's a good one, too. But 
Leonardo has the feeling. There was 
never anything painted like that smile." 
( Moves on, Mrs. Nash following. ) "Ah, 
what 's this ? Gerard Dow, his ' Phy- 
sician.' By Jove! Louisa, he was a 
painter. There's a picture for you!" 



54 The American Husband in Paris 

Mrs. Nash (superciliously) 

" Oh, that Dutch school ; I never 
could see much in those pictures, 
they 're so commonplace ! " 

George 

Again absorbed in picttcre. Appears not 
to hear her. Studies picture minutely. 

Mrs. Nash (in aggrieved tone) 

" When you Ve done looking at that, 
George, you '11 find me on that third 
bench next to that second door." 

Seats herself in front of Giorgione's 
"Concert." Murmurs to herself, "So 
like George to care about those stupid 
Dutch pictures! He is so practical. 
Dear me! I wonder why it is our 
men are so commonplace ! Poor dears ! 
I suppose it 's because they 're always 
grinding away at business. They 've 





" ' Why George ! Hozv did you happen 
to know so much about pictures ?' " 



The American Husband in Paris 5 5 

no time for cultivating their minds or 
enlarging their tastes. Well, we women 
have our children, and our clubs, and 
Paris ! If it were n't for them, I don't 
know what we should do ! I suppose 
all American women feel a want — a 
void — somehow." 

George 

Comes towards her, still excited. 

" Louisa ! that Perugino — over there ! 
Just look at those colors ! As fresh as 
if laid on yesterday! Why can't our 
men get that pure tone ? " 

Mrs. Nash {opening her eyes) 

" Why, George ! how did you happen 
to know so much about pictures ? " 

George [smiles demurely) 

"Well, I ought to know something — 
I 've bought a few." 



56 The American Husband in Paris 

Mrs. Nash 
" Yes ; but then you 've never seen 
any masterpieces." 

George 
Again absorbed ; this time in Leonardo s 
" Elizabeth? 

" Oh, we get some good Rembrandts 
and Van Dycks at our Monthly Exhi- 
bitions, and the Metropolitan Museum 

has — " 

Mrs. Nash 

Brightening ; feels the mystery is solved. 
Remembers George has been on the 
United League Club Art Committee 
for years. Turns to him with pleased 
smile. 
" Well, George, you do seem at home 

here, I must say." 

She reflects that he talks as well as 
Jannet, the young society artist who 
always " receives " her at the American 



The American Husband in Paris 57 

Artists' Spring Exhibition. Begins to 
feel novel pride in him. Bright idea 
occurs to her. Now she will know 
exactly where to send him later, when 
the " trying on " begins ! Looks about, 
and finds George is off again. Sees 
Veronese's " Feast of Emmaus" directly 
in front of her. It recalls the famous 
Highsome Haines's "Costume Supper" 
of last winter. 

Mrs. Nash (to herself) 

" Dear me, I think our New York 
women are much better looking than 
those Venetians ! And the dresses — 
well — I don't know that the brocades 
were as good in color, but ours were 
newer. Yes, that was my gown, the 
woman to the left — Dear me, where 
is George ? I want him to look at 
this and compare. Oh, he's off again! 
That gold fillet, — dear me ! it makes 



5 8 The American Husband in Paris 

me ache to think of the weeks I spent 
getting those pearls just right ! Well, 
it was worth it. It was a stunner, that 
costume. Really, I ought to have had 
my portrait painted in it — so every 
one said ! " (Stops, as idea strikes her. 
Crosses floor rapidly. Clutches George ex- 
citedly by coat-sleeve) (Aloud) " George, 
I ve thought of something ! You know 
you always wanted to have me painted 
— for the children." 

George 
Awakening as if from some dream (he 

is in front of a " Raphael") to an 

unpleasant reality. 

" Oh, have I ? When ? I don't re- 
member — " 

Mrs. Nash 
Impatiently. Idea is rapidly turning 
into decisio7t to act on it. 
"Oh, yes you do. Don't you re- 



The American Husband in Paris 5 9 

member, after seeing Sargent's portrait 
of Lillie Langbourne ? " 

George 

Coming to all his senses, 

"That was after Sargent was safely 

landed over in England. I recollect 

now." 

Mrs. Nash 

" George, how can you, on so sacred 
a subject, — yes, it is sacred when a 
mother plans to leave her children a 
posterity picture." 

George (in mock anxiety) 
" You don't think of leaving us just 
yet, do you? Not before seeing the 
Exhibition, at any rate?" 

Mrs. Nash 
Laughing in spite of herself. Links 

her arm lightly in his. 

" Come, you old goosie, there 's the 
guard calling — it's five o'clock." 



60 The American Husband in Paris 

George {regretfully) 

" Oh, they shoo us out, like chickens, 
do they? What time do they open in 
the morning ? Where is my Baedeker ? " 
{Fumbles in all his pockets?) 

Mrs. Nash {triumphantly) 

" In the carriage. I saw to that ! " 

Both laugh as they walk out. 




Chapter V 

THE OLD COAT 

T^EDROOM. Next morning, 10 
./ J A.M. Mrs. Nash, sleepily, from 
behind the blue damask bed-curtains. 

Mrs. Nash 

" Oh, George, must you open all those 
blinds ? It 's early yet, and I am so 
sleepy." 

George {re-closing shutters) 

" I suppose it is early — for Paris ; but 

it 's past ten o'clock." 

61 



62 The American Husband in Paris 

Mrs. Nash 

Turning over on her pillow, drowsily, 

" Wake me up at a quarter to eleven ; 
will you, George ? I 'm dead with sleep." 

Sleeps an hour. Wakes to hear 
George in drawing-room. Hears clock 
strike. Jumps out of bed. Remarks 
great stillness in adjoining room. Lis- 
tens. Becomes suspicious. 

Mrs. Nash 

" What can George be doing as quietly 
as that ? ' ! (Puts on peignoir and goes 
into drawing-room .) " Well, if I ever ! " 
(Lifts her hands in protest^) 

Chairs and a sofa are covered with a 
motley array of coats, trousers, shirts, 
and underclothes. George in his shirt- 
sleeves taking a coat to the light and 
examining it. 



The American Husband in Paris 6 3 

George {in a cheery tone) 

" I 've been looking to see if that 
frock-coat of mine was all right.' 5 {In- 
spects it carefully?) 

Mrs. Nash 

Joining him in inspection, with great 
disdain. 

" That old thing ! Why, you 've had 
it ages ! " 

George 

Looking at button-holes, with a great fear 
dawning on him. 

" No-o, I have n't. It 's a compara- 
tively new one. I 've only had it two 
years." {Decides button-holes can be 
repaired. Smiles cheerfully, and kisses 
his wife as he passes her to put it 
aside?) 



64 The American Husband in Paris 

Mrs. Nash 

Retaining hint, putting her hands on 
his coat lapels. 

" George, you promised me, solemnly, 
you would order some new clothes. You 
have n't a thing that 's fit for an old 
clothes shop ! " 

George 

" Nonsense, my clothes will do first- 
rate. Some of them need a little repair- 
ing. I 'm going to have it done. I 
guess the tailor can press some of my 
trousers." 

Mrs. Nash 
Sits down in despair. Vision comes up 

of Richmond Trevises trousers and 

their perfect creases. Determines to 

make a stand. Firmly. 

iC George, Bell and Poole both have 
shops here, on the Rue de Rivoli. We 
go to-morrow together." 



The American Husband in Paris 65 

George 

Too absorbed to reply. Has carried an- 
other coat to the window. 

Mrs. Nash 
" Do you hear, George ? " 

George {murmurs contentedly) 

" That one is better than I thought it 
was ; guess I '11 put that one on." (Sur- 
veys it admiringly^) " Pretty good, I 
call it. Four years old, if it 's a day. 
Hullo ! Some one knocking, Louisa ! " 

Mrs. Nash feels intuitional premoni- 
tions as to who it is. In opening door, 
perceives intuition was correct. They 
are the women from Raudnitz. Quickly 
getting them into bedroom (" Par ici ; 
oui, tout est pret") Long conversa- 
tion in French goes on. 
5 



66 The American Husband in Paris 

George {innocently) 

"Wonder who they are. Good- 
looking girls, too." {Another knock) 

George. 
" Who now ? " 

Sees two more pretty girls staggering 
under huge boxes. They smile. He 
smiles. 

Mrs. Nash 

Hurriedly, with all her executive faculty 
in full action. 

" Ah-h, venez ; par ici ; de " {whispers) 
" Virot ? " {Screens girls and boxes as 
they gracefully enter bedroom) 

George {trying to detain his zvife) 

" What 's up, Lou ? What are all 
those pretty girls being locked up in 
there for? Having a reception?" 



The American Husband in Paris 67 

Mrs. Nash 

With woman's ready art in petty deceit 

" Oh, my dear, only some women from 
Raudnitz, to take back some old things 
to be made over. It's my economical 
year too." (Smiles her saints smile.} 

George 
Whose resolves have undergone a change 
under influence of pretty girls, 

" I say, Lou, I guess I 'd have one or 
two new ones, if I were you." (His 
Northern Pacific had gone up ten points 
yesterday, as he saw by this morning s 
New York Herald.} 

Mrs. Nash 
Kisses him, but silently. Girls are sus- 
piciously quiet in next room, and one 
of them speaks English, as she knows. 
( Whispers?) 

" George, you are a perfect dear ! " 



6 8 The American Husband in Paris 

George nods, and goes downstairs 
gayly to order breakfast. Feels the 
stimulus of a good action. 

Mrs. Nash 

Soliloquizing. Girls and boxes have 
gone. 

" I wonder what he would have said 
if he 'd known eleven gowns have gone 
out of these rooms this very morning, 
and only two of them old ! One or two 
new ones ? Poor dear ! Little he will 
know how many I must have until he 
sees the bills, in January ! Oh, well, 
it's all for the best." 




Chapter VI 

^T^EA at the Ritz. Mrs. Nash 
JL precedes her husband down long, 
finely -lighted corridor. Groups of 
gayly-dressed ladies seated about little 
tables. Latter covered with tea-services. 
Much talking and laughter. George 
follows his wife with confused, helpless 
feeling. " Men seem to be scarce" he re- 
flects dazedly, " in this mob of women." 
Wishes Louisa would stop, somewhere, 
anywhere. Picking his way between all 
these petticoats is as bad as going down 

the church aisle the day he was married. 

6 9 



jo The American Husband in Paris 

Vows Louisa will never catch him here 
again, 

Mrs. Nash 

To resplendent being in blue coat and 
many buttons. 

"No other table? Oh, well, we'll 
take this one." (Seats herself with easy 
grace. Has given her "new skirt" the 
right sweep before sitting down. The 
lines of her back, she knows, are perfect?) 

George 

Holding hat as if at a funeral or wed- 
ding, feeling this to be a ceremony of 
some sort, and hating it. 

" I say, Louisa, can't you let me out 
of this ? " 

Mrs. Nash 

Bowing and smiling in several directions 
at once. 
"Why, if there aren't the Blairs! 



The American Husband in Paris 7 i 

They never come till June. And who 
is that lovely creature with them ? 
There are the Grimwalls; they always 
come early ! and the Smallies ! and — ■ 
Oh, George, do look ! Is n't that a per- 
fect beauty ? " 

George 

Looks up angrily at oldish lady dressed 
like a girl, who is sweeping down aisle. 

" That old horror ! What are you 
thinking of, Lou ? " {Gasps as his wife 
gives his arm a sudden nudge. The 
"horror" is upon them.) 

Mrs. Nash rises with much precipi- 
tation. 

Oldish pi nk-and- white lady {barely 
stopping). 

" Ah-h, Mrs. Nash, over already ? 
Your pretty daughter well, I hope?" 



J 2 The American Husband in Paris 

Mrs. Nash 

In a voice not new to her husband — a 
mixed tone, in which surprise, elation, 
gratitude, and desire to charm struggle 
for utterance. 

" Oh, dear Lady de Vivian ! how kind 
of you ! Darling May — " 

Lady de Vivian has moved on. Mrs. 
Nash in her excitement has dropped her 
new gold bag, her gloves, boa, and has 
knocked over George's new silk hat. 
Skirts submerge hat as she sinks into 
back of chair. Face reflects beatitude. 

Mrs. Nash 

" Oh, George, was n't it good of her ? 
She always remembers May; and how 
really too nice of her to stop and ask." 

George 
" Who is the old lady, anyway ? " 



The American Husband in Paris 73 

Mrs. Nash (in aggrieved tone) 

" Old lady ? That, my dear George, 
is Lady Georgina de Courcy de Vivian." 

George 

Dryly ; has met his wife before in this 
state. 

" I see — English and a title ! She 
might paint a foot deeper than she does, 
and she 'd be still the real thing, eh ? 
Well, what does this man want?" 

Mrs. Nash 

To waiter, still in confused tones. 

" Tea and toast, — the muffins toasted, 
you know. And, George ? " 

George 

" No tea. Scotch whiskey and soda." 
(Gloomily resigns himself to his fate)) 



74 The American Husband in Paris 

Mrs. Nash 

Aroused to her sense of duty, 

" George, really you ought to remem- 
ber what the doctor — " (Changes tone 
and face as large shape suddenly looms 
up before her.) " Ah, Judge, you here ? 
Well, Mrs. Goodman is breaking you in 
well. Won't you sit down?" {Makes 
a place for the "fudge close to her.) " I 
wish she 9 d take Mr. Nash in hand." 

Judge Goodman (smiling genially) 

"What have you been doing, sir? 
Been running off to the Folies Bergere, 
or to see * La Feria' at the Exhibi- 
tion ? " 

George 

Feeling like another man. Takes to the 
fudge uncommonly. 

" No-o, we 're putting off that misery 
as long as possible." (They all laugh) 



The American Husband in Paris 75 

Mrs. Nash {pouring tea prettily) 

" Have you and Mrs. Goodman been 
yet ? " 

The Judge 

" Yes, we Ve spent the day there." 
[Heaves a deep sigh. Shakes himself as 
if to shake off fatigue)} 

Mrs. Nash 
" Was it as bad as all that ? " 

The Judge 

"Oh, well, they're all about alike, 

these exhibitions. I saw the first one 

years ago, and made up my mind never 

to go through another, and this is my 

fifth!" 

They laugh heartily, 

George 
Liking the Judge better every minute. 
Finds him the right sort, 

"Well, I suppose we go to Exhibi- 



J 6 The American Husband in Parts 

tions as we do to church — with the 
idea that it's good for us." 

Mrs. Nash 

" George ! " (Colors, as handsome, 
youngish old man with tired eyes and 
perfectly fitting clothes comes up to her) 
" Oh, how do you do, Mr. Trevise ? 
Your mother? She would like to see 
me ? Why, of course, I '11 go over to 
her." (Excuses herself prettily and 
crosses gallery, conscious of many re- 
marks about her "new" black and 
white}) 

Silence between the two men. 

The Judge 
" So this is your first trip, Mr. Nash ? " 

George 

"Yes. I see now I ought to have 
come before." 



The American Husband in Paris yy 

The Judge {in tone of respect) 

" Well, a man who carries the Kala- 
mazoo and Topeka on his shoulders 
can't expect much fun in life ! " 

George 

Carrying off compliment lightly. 

"Oh, I guess we're all about alike. 
We all work too hard. Sitting on the 
Bench all day can't be any too easy." 

The Judge {jocosely) 

" Well, judging one's fellows is easier 
than controlling them, I 've always found. 
By the way, how many men are there in 
the Kalamazoo ? " 

George (modestly) 
" About twenty thousand." 

Pause, during which Judge reflects 
that all he had heard of Nash wasn't 



yS The American Husband in Paris 

any too much. Makes up his mind to 
see more of him. 

The Judge 

" By the way, if you have n't anything 
to do to-morrow, what do you say to 
coming with me to the Marais ? " 

George 

Wrinkling his brow, flushes slightly ; 
wishes he had looked it up in Baedeker. 

" I don't know where it is, nor just 
what it is; but I 'm your man, Judge." 

They laugh, and talk about foreign 
politics. 

Mrs. Nash 

Returns. Manner visibly excited. Ab- 
sent-mindedly pours tea into milk-jug. 

" Gracious ! what am I doing, George? 
Such news! I'm all upset. Richmond 
Trevise is going to marry Maud King, 



The American Husband in Paris 79 

after all ! They were engaged yesterday ; 
cabled to all the papers in America be- 
fore tea, and had decided everything 
before dinner ! " 

The Judge 
" Pretty quick work, I should call it." 

Mrs. Nash {easily) 

" Oh, well, you see, as he has n't a 
penny, and she 's worth millions, there 
was n't anything to wait for." (A pause.) 
" What are you both laughing at ? " 

George 

" Nothing. I was only reflecting. 
We did n't do it in just that way, 
Louisa." 

Mrs. Nash 

" Oh, well, George, we were such 
babies." 



8 o The American Husband in Paris 

The Judge 

" And now-a-days it is only the wise 
and the old who marry, — Eiffel Towers 
and money-bags." 

Mrs. Nash 

"Judge, how severe! Tall girls are 
all the rage. Dear me ! here comes 
Mrs. Gailey. Ah, Mrs. Gailey, how do 
you do ? How well you are looking ! " 

Mrs. Gailey 

Though forty, is pretty, looks thirty in 
picture hat and fluffy gown. Beams 
on Mrs, Nash and two gentlemen. 

" How are you, dear?' (Gives Mrs, 
Nash little squeeze?) " How good it is 
to see you! What do you think has 
happened ? " (Still holds Mrs. Nash 
fast by both hands, gazing at her intently.) 



The American Husband in Paris 8 1 

Mrs. Nash 
" You 're not engaged, too ? ,: 

Mrs. Gailey {with scorn) 

" Engaged ? No, indeed ! Guess 
again." 

Mrs. Nash 

"YouVe had another offer!" (To 
gentlemen) " You must know men pro- 
pose to Mrs. Gailey daily, hourly! It 
takes up all her time — just to refuse 
them. They 've worn out two electric 
bells. Mrs. Gailey — Judge Goodman; 
my husband, Mr. Nash." 

The gentlemen rise and bow. Mrs. 

Gailey and Judge Goodman exchange 

quick telegraphic glances. Both look 

away. Mrs. Gailey seems to be passing 

under a transient cloud. 
6 



8 2 The American Husband in Paris 

Mr. Nash 

Thinks Mrs. Galley rather high-colored, 
the dashing sort, but likes her " go ; " 
offers chair with much gallantry. 
" I hope Mrs. Gailey won't forget to 

tell us what did happen to her." 

Mrs. Gailey 
Recovers her buoyancy. Radiantly, to 

both gentlemen. 

" Why, I 've just been insulted, on the 
Boulevards, a minute ago ! " 

Mrs. Nash 
With slightly envious tone, to gentlemen. 
" Now she 's perfectly happy. She 's 
been waiting two years for that ! " 

All laugh except George; the Judge, 
heartily. Again looks meaningly at 
Mrs. Gailey, who begins to ogle him 
with manifest intention to capture and 
subdue. 



The American Husband in Paris 8 3 

George 
Colors slightly. Feels he must admin- 
ister some slight rebuke. Fears Louisa 
is getting into dangerous company. 

" I thought our American ladies had 
taught these Frenchmen to treat women 
on the streets with respect" 

Mrs. Nash 
Realizes how prudish and old-fashioned 
George is, and, she fears, always 
will be. 

" Oh-h, they show us respect enough, 
when we look American. The great 
thing is not to look it, but to look 
French." {Ladies nod intelligently.} 

George 

Blazing into patriotism. 

" The right sort of Americans don't ; 
they want to look what they are, — true 
American ladies!" 



84 The American Husband in Paris 

Mrs. Gailey 

Her big eyes brought to a focus upon 
Georges case. They blaze upon him 
softly. 

"What a pity you are married, and 
happily ! " {Light laughter, except from 
George?) 

George 
Beginning to dislike her. Finds her 

too big-eyed, too staring. 

" Sorry to disagree with you, Mrs. 
Gailey, but I Ve never ceased to rejoice 
over Mrs. Nash's choice of a husband." 

Mrs. Gailey 

Recognizing in George the sort that 
never will admit her own immense 
fascination. 

" Oh, your marriage is ideal, of course! 
But as a rule there 's nothing like mar- 



The American Husband in Paris 8 5 

riage for a man, it makes him so de- 
lightfully immoral. But, of course, there 
are exceptions." {Stops suddenly, as she 
catches the Judges eagle glance. Rises 
hastily. Small, dissipated-looking man, 
with very smart clothes and wearied face, 
passes by) " Oh, I 'm afraid I must go 
now, some friends are waiting. Au 
revoir, Mrs. Nash ; so glad to have met 
you, Judge, Mr. Nash." {Sweeps off, 
and is joined by diminutive specimen) 

The Judge 
Following her with his glance. 
" So that is poor Gailey's widow." 

Mrs. Nash 
" Why, do you know her ? " 

The Judge 
" At one time I heard a good deal of 
her. Let me see, first Simmons married 
her, and I made the will. Then just 



86 The American Husband in Paris 

before he died Mrs. Chipson thought 
her attentions to Chipson called for ex- 
planation — in court — and then Gailey 
married her just at the right moment." 

George {fiercely) 
" How in the world did you come to 
know such a woman, Louisa ? " 

Mrs. Nash {easily) 
" Oh-h, no one believes any of those 
stories — over here. She goes every- 
where, and knows every one. Her din- 
ners are the best in Paris." 

George 
" And her morals the worst ! " 

Mrs. Nash 
" George ! What are you talking 
about ? She never allows herself to be 
talked about. No one is more discreet ; 
why, every one says she 's going to get 
Lord Wintergone, after all ! " 



The American Husband in Paris 87 

George 

" Is that he ? " 

Mrs. Nash 

" Yes, he 's always with her ; we 're 
expecting the announcement daily now." 

George 

"We? Really, Louisa, I must for- 
bid — " 

Mrs. Nash (talking very quickly) 

"Oh, here's Mrs. Rich! How do 
you do, Mrs. Rich ? You want us for 
dinner the 8th ? How kind of you ! I 
promised George we would n't go out, 
this year ; he 's off on a rest cure, but 
I must go to you. Good-bye, the 8th." 

Mrs. Rich nods and is off. The two 
men exchange sympathetic looks. 

The Judge 
" Well, Nash, you 're in for it." 



8 8 The American Husband in Paris 

George 
" Oh, Lord ! " 

Mrs. Nash {coquettishly) 

" Now, Judge, I can't have you coming 
into my family and sowing revolution- 
ary principles. Oh-h, here 's your wife ; 
she '11 keep you in order." 

Mrs. Goodman 

Sitting down heavily — she is a large 
woman, 

" I 've been watching you. You 're 
altogether too lively over here. By the 
way, Judge, Mrs. Rich wants us for 
the 8th." 

Everybody laughs. 

Mrs. Goodman 

" What are you all laughing at ? Well, 
I '11 give you some more food for laugh- 
ter. I 've just ordered a dinner for twelve 



The American Husband in Paris 8 9 

here the 10th, and three of you are in- 
vited without further notification, as the 
funeral notices put it." 

The Judge {groans) 

Mrs. Goodman 

" William ! This dinner is given for 
Mr. and Mrs. Nash." 

The Judge {manner changes) 

" Maria, you sometimes give me 
proofs of your intelligence. I was just 
thinking we ought to celebrate Mr. 
Nash's arrival in a becoming manner. 
Who are you going to have to meet 
them ? " 

Mrs. Goodman {counting her fingers) 

" The Ex-Secretary of the Interior 
and his wife. I saw her yesterday. They 



can come." 



90 The American Husband in Paris 

The Judge 
" That 's all right." 

Mrs. Goodman 
"And the Parvenu Redmunds." 

The Judge 

Gives Nash a swift look. To his wife, 
tartly, 

" Why do you have them ? " 

Mrs. Goodman and Mrs. Nash ex- 
change significant glances. 

Mrs. Goodman 

" My dear, they go everywhere, over 
here." 

The Judge {severely) 

" Well, there should be one house, at 
least, to which they should not go, my 
dear." 



The American Husband in Paris g i 

Mrs. Nash 

Wishing 1 to smooth matters. 

" Oh, come, Judge ! You must n't sit 
in judgment on us, all the time. Re- 
member how many of those you 've con- 
demned on earth, you '11 find in heaven, 
and with bigger harps perhaps than 
yours, too!" {They all laugh. Turn- 
ing to George) " Come, dear, it 's get- 
ting late, and I promised to take Mrs. 
Trevise's box at the Opera to-night." 

They take leave, bowing gayly. On 
her way down to the door Mrs. Nash is 
only stopped five times by new meetings 
and greetings. As they enter carriage 
Mrs. Nash takes out engagement book. 

Mrs. Nash {writing swiftly) 

"The 2 2d, to-morrow, luncheon at 
Voisin's. Paquin at 4. Tea at 5, with 



9 2 The American Husband in Paris 

Mrs. Blair — did you see her, George? 
that woman with the dark eyes, she is 
considered such a beauty ! I '11 bet my 
head, though, she makes up. 23d, 
Breakfast at Nobles — partie carree. 
24th. What was it for the 24th ? Oh, 
yes, dinner in the Exhibition grounds. 
25th. Dinner at Armenonville — " 

George (interrupting) 

" Good heavens, Louisa, you don't 
expect me to go to all those ! " 

Mrs. Nash 

" And why not ? I 'm sure I don't 
see what else you have to do." 

George (half angry) 

" Oh, nothing, of course. I was under 
the mistaken apprehension that this 
was a rest cure ! " 



The American Husband in Paris 9 3 

Mrs. Nash (still writing vigorously) 

" Well, are n't we going to Carlsbad ? 
There '11 be nothing else to do there but 
to rest, will there ? " 




Chapter VII 

TJ^XHIBITION. Mrs. Nash enters 
I ** drawing-room. Finds it perfectly 
dark. Presses electric button. Light 
discovers her very smart indeed. Pale- 
blue ladys cloth, black-and-white straw 
hat with white chiffon knots. Ornaments, 
turquoise and pearl dog-collar. Looks 
quickly around. 

Mrs. Nash 

" George ! " {No answer. Moves to- 
wards bedroom ; also dark. Lights that 
up. Looks towards bed. Goes back to 

94 



The American Husband in Paris 95 

drawing-room ; consults clock)) " What ! 
seven! And George not here ! Where 
can he be ? He 's been gone since 
eleven. And here I was, dreading to 
come in for fear he 'd been worrying 
about me." (Takes off hat, gloves ; seats 
herself) " Well, I must say I am glad 
to sit down. What a long day it has 
been ! " {Silence, It becomes oppressive) 
" I wonder where George is ! I 'm be- 
ginning to believe he 's lost his way ; 
unless he 's come home with the Judge, 
he '11 never find his way about, and 
there won't be a cab to be had at this 
hour." {Rings bell. Waiter appears) 
"Just go to Judge Goodman's room and 
ask if the Judge is at home yet, or, 
wait." (Scribbles message on card) 

Waiter disappears. She fusses about 
till his return. On reappearing he pre- 
sents note. Exit waiter. 



96 The American Husband in Paris 

Mrs. Nash (reads) 

" * Dear Mrs. Nash, I left your good 
husband at three o'clock. He said he 
was going home. Yours obediently, A. 
G. Goodman.' ' (Starts as clock strikes 
the quarter) " Three o'clock, and it 's 
now after seven ! " ( With the quiet of 
despair) " Something has happened to 
him, of course." (Walks about excitedly. 
Tries to regain her self-control) " I 
must keep cool, and be ready for any- 
thing." (Sits down, and holds her hands 
over her heart) " If he is n't here by 
eight, I '11 ask the Judge to notify the 
police." 

Has visions of seeing George brought 
home on a stretcher; of finding him, 
after countless false alarms, in a ditch, 
almost unrecognizable, where he had 
been left for dead by thieves; or of 



The American Husband in Paris 97 

recognizing him, later, at the morgue, 
where, horrors ! he is — 

George 

Enters with his hat on. Looks some- 
what elated ; general air of festivity. 

" Hello, Louisa, you here, little girl ? " 
( Tries to kiss her.) 

Mrs. Nash 

Starting up. Feeling her most sacred 
feelings have been trifled with. 

" George Nash, will you please tell 
me where you have been, at this hour ? " 

George {astounded) 
" At this hour ? Why, it 's only seven 
o'clock." 

Mrs. Nash 

" Nearly half-past. Where have you 
been ? You Ve nearly frightened me to 
death." 

7 



98 The American Husband in Paris 

George 

With continued air of gayety. 

" I have ? Would n't have done that 

for the world." {Tries to put his arm 

about her.) 

Mrs. Nash 

Retreating, with great dignity. 

" All this time you have n't told me 

where you have been, George." 

George (with infantile imprudence) 
" Why, the Judge and I — " 

Mrs. Nash (icily) 
" He 's just written down to say he 
left you at three." 

George 

With quick rebound, after trapped 

feeling. 

" So he did, and then I went off by 
myself." 



The American Husband in Paris 99 

Mrs. Nash 

" May I learn in what direction you 
went off; or can't you — ?" 

George {pulling himself together) 

" Well, the truth is, I did a downright 
mean thing, Louisa, — I went it alone, 
to the Exhibition, without the Judge. 
I 've been there ever since. I tell you 
it is great." 

PAUSE 

Mrs. Nash 

Has a short, fierce struggle. Gives a 
little gasp, short hysterical laugh, and 
cries, as she flings her arms about her 
husband's neck. 

" Oh, George, that 's where I Ve been 
all day — and I just hated to tell you! " 

TABLEAU 

LtfC 




Chapter VIII 



GEORGE AT THE THEATRE FRANCAIS 

li/TORNING. Hotel Continental. 
jL VJ. Mr. Nash tiptoeing into dark- 
ened bed-chamber. 

George (sympathetically) 
" Do you feel any better, dear ? " 

Voice 
Very faint, from pillow. 
" No-o ; rather worse, if anything." 

George 
Bumping against chair in the dark. 
" Is n't there something I can do for 
you ? " 

IOO 



The American Husband in Paris i o i 

Mrs. Nash 
" Don't joggle, it hurts my head." 

George 

Afraid to move, though lost in middle of 
room, 

"Shan't I send in Marie?" 

Mrs. Nash 
" Ye-es, later. First — Oh, dear ! how 
it throbs ! First you must see if Mrs. 
Goodman can take my place to-night." 

George 
" Your place ? " 

Mrs. Nash {in fainting voice) 

" Oh-h, can't you remember anything? 
We — I asked Miss King and Trevise 
for the theatre, the Francais, to-night." 

George {with sinking sensation} 
" The deuce you did ! " 



1 02 The American Husband in Paris 

Mrs. Nash 

" George, I 'm far too ill to have you 
swearing at me. I shall be worse, now, 
if I have to go on talking." 

George 
Feeling he has been a ruffian. 

" Well, just tell me, dear, what I am 

to do." 

Mrs. Nash 

"See Mrs. Goodman. Ask her if she 

will matronize them. If she can't, write 

Mrs. Rich." 

George 

Forgetting his remorse as ruffian, 

" Mrs. Rich ! I don't know the woman 
from Adam, nor Miss King, nor any of 
them, except Trevise, and he 's an ass !" 

Mrs. Nash (in her palest voice) 
" Don't be brutal, George, I 'm not 
strong enough to bear it." 



The American Husband in Paris 103 

George 

Relapsing into contrite mood. 

"It's all right, Lou; I'll go, only" 
{bright idea strikes him) "why not 
send the box to Miss King, and let 
them — " 

Mrs. Nash 

Regrets she is too ill to tell George how 
hopeless she feels his social education 
to be. 

" Haven't you learned yet that young 
people don't go about by themselves, 
even when they are engaged ? " 

George 

" Young ? Trevise is forty, if he 's a 
minute, and that King girl — gracious ! 
Louisa, don't look like that. Brace up, 
little woman ; give me my marching 
orders, and then get your sleep." 



1 04 The American Husband in Paris 

Mrs. Nash 

With the voice of a dying saint, 

" Send the carriage — half-past seven 
— for Miss King, pick up Mrs. Goodman 
or Mrs. Rich, take them to box num- 
ber nine; send number to Trevise's 
hotel, the Chatham, and — now let me 
sleep!" 

George closes door softly. Stands in 
middle of big drawing-room. Derives 
no comfort from Louis XV. furniture 
or pink azaleas. Thinks gloomily on 
his misfortunes. Fifteen minutes before, 
on discovering one of his wife's head- 
aches was coming on, had made en- 
gagement with Judge for a " night off." 
Smashes hat over his eyes. Ejaculates 
the usual monosyllable. 



The American Husband in Paris 105 



AT THEATRE 

Play : " B6r6nice." — Racine's Two Hundredth Anni- 
versary. 

Scene : In Theatre Francais before the older build- 
ing was destroyed by fire. 

George in back of box. The latter, 
though supposed to seat six, is too small 
for three. George as host, of course, 
takes worst seat. Has managed, thus 
far, to see quarter of the opposite side 
of the house, a forest of feather-trimmed 
hats, and Miss King's shoulder-blades. 
By standing up, can see part of stage. 
Murmur of voices on stage, close air; 
non-stimulating effect of Miss King's 
shoulder-blades produce soporific effect. 
Dozes. 

Mrs. Goodman {at end of first act) 
" How fine Bartet was ! " 



1 06 The American Husband in Paris 

George 
Feeling he must say something, as Miss 
King and Trevise are looking at the 
house, 
" Ah, always is, is n't he ? " 

Trevise 
Smiles sardonically. He and Miss 
King exchange meaning glance. 

" Oh, that 's a good one, I say ! " He 
and Miss King laugh rudely. 

Mrs. Goodman 
Likes George, and is sorry he is out of 
it in French and art matters generally. 

" Oh, you did n't see a programme, 
did you, Mr. Nash?" 

George 
Feels he would like to kick Trevise, 
though not knowing precisely for what. 
Pointedly, to Mrs. Goodman. 
" It would n't enlighten me. I fear 



The American Husband in Paris 107 

Racine and all the rest are a trifle be- 
yond me." 

Miss King {to no one in particular) 
" Shall we go to the Foyer ? " 

All rise and pass out of box. Mrs. 
Goodman pilots George to Foyer. Shows 
him statues of Rachel, Voltaire, etc. 
Statues interest him. Examines them 
carefully. Trevise and Miss King move 
quickly away. 

Mrs. Goodman 

After good-naturedly answering all 
Georges questions. 

"And now, suppose we go to the 
Cafe, outside, and you give me a 
' bock.' " 

George {statues lose all interest) 
" Just won't I ; which way ? " 



108 The American Husband in Paris 

After " bocks." He and Mrs. Good- 
man lean over balcony overlooking Place 
du Theatre Francais. 

George 

" Great idea, this ! Walking about, 
getting beer, and some fresh air. I 
begin to think the Theatre Francais 
has n't been overwritten up, after all ! " 

Mrs. Goodman {slyly) 

" How about the ' Moulin Rouge ' 
and the ' Folies Bergere ' ? Rather 
more to your taste, I fancy." 

George 

"Oh-h, the Judge told on me, did 
he ? " 

Mrs. Goodman {laughing lightly) 
" Oh, he tells me his little crimes ; his 
worst ones I find out for myself. By 
the way, he sent you a message. He '11 



The American Husband in Paris 109 

be at the 'Moulin Rouge' at 12.30. 
Nice place for two heads of family ! " 

George 

" Don't you think it better for us to 
sow a wild oat, tamely, at our age, than 
at Trevise's, for instance? He's so 
old, he makes me feel like a debutante ! " 

Mrs. Goodman 

" Oh, all the young men of this gen- 
eration are born old." 

George 
" My boy was n't, and shan't be." 

Mrs. Goodman 

" You can't turn the clock back. This 
century clock is a fast one." 

George 
" Yes, our clock went slower and truer. 
What 's that ? " (Hears gong) 



no The American Husband in Paris 

Mrs. Goodman 
" That 's to tell us that the curtain 
will rise in five minutes." 

George 
" Oh, Lord ! " 

They both laugh. 

Curtain rises on empty stage. Classic 
scene in background. Stage centre 
rilled with bust of Racine on pedestal, 
crowned with wreaths. Mounet Sully 
enters in evening dress. 

George 
Hilariously, to Mrs. Goodman. 
" Good ! Here 's the management 
come to announce the play can't go 
on!" 

Mrs. Goodman (^whispers quickly) 
" It 's Mounet Sully. He is to read 
the ' Discours ' — the speech of the 
evening." 



The American Husband in Paris 1 1 1 

Miss King turns icy, supercilious 
glance upon George. Trevise laughs 
again, brutally, in George's face. George 
thinks he really must kick him, once 
the ladies are out of the way. 

George conscientiously tries to catch 
a word here and there of the " speech." 
Understands nothing. Sees only half 
of Mounet Sully. Likes that half, and 
wishes he could see more. After trying 
for half an hour to see him as a whole, 
sits down in despair to inspection of 
Miss King's wedge-like shoulder-blades. 
Pities Trevise, although he despises 
him. Tiring of compassionate mood, 
tries to see pretty girl again in opposite 
box. Pretty girl gone. Envies her. In 
despair, composes himself once more for 
slumber. Concludes Theatre Francais 
is as dull as church — only hotter. 
Dozes. A vacancy. 



112 The American Husband in Paris 

Mrs. Goodmans Voice out of a fog 
" Perfectly delightful, was n't, he ? " 

George 

Shakes himself and knocks into Miss 

Kings chignon. 

"Oh, beg pardon!" {Thinking to 
make things pleasant?) " Miss King, 
now, she understood every word, I dare- 
say." 

Miss King [stares and mutters} 

" Awh ! " (To Trevise, barely an 
aside?) " Really, he is too impossible ! " 

Trevise 

Who has "been over" in England four 

years. 

" What can you expect ? They 're 
all like that, these Americans ! " 



The American Husband in Paris 113 

THEATRE DOOR 

Miss King (to Trevise) 

" You 're coming, are n't you ? I 'm 
going on to the Smallies." 

Trevise 

" Oh, I fear I can't, you know; there 's 
a man's party at the Ritz — " 

Miss King 

Suddenly developing temper. 

" Oh-h, they 're always late, those 
men's parties. You can perfectly well 
take me on first ; here 's the carriage ! " 

Trevise offers arm sulkily and looks 
all he is mentally saying. 

George 
Pleasantly, to Mrs. Goodman. 

" Shall we drop you, first, at the 

Continental ? " 
8 



ii4 The American Husband in Paris 

Mrs. Goodman 

Quickly remembering George s rare 
bachelor freedom, 

" No-o ; I also am going to the Smal- 
lies; you need n't come. The Judge is 
waiting for you now." 

They drive off after distant "good- 
nights" from the two frigid, though 
affianced, ones. 

George (alone, ecstatically) 

" What a wife the Judge has ! A 
woman in ten thousand ! " (Hails cab- 
man. Gives orders with amazing flu- 
ency.) "Moulin Rouge! Vite! donnez 
bon pour-boire ! " 




Chapter IX 



THE EMBASSY BALL 
I 

George 
Enters hurriedly in penitent mood. 

" By Jove ! little woman, I did n't 

mean to keep you waiting. But the 

Judge and I were caught out at 

Vincennes, looking at the Machinery 

Section." 

Mrs. Nash 

Pushing her husband down caressingly 

into easiest chair. 

"You poor dear! Don't bother to 
explain. I know just how you feel. 
Hot, and such dust ! Would n't you 

"5 



1 1 6 The American Husband in Paris 

like, now, above all things, a Remsen 

Cooler?" 

George 

Opens his eyes at his wifes face before 
kissing it. 

" Just would n't I, though ! But 
there 's no such thing." 

Mrs. Nash laughs gayly, goes to bed- 
room, unlocks wardrobe. Reappears 
with several bottles, a lemon, some sugar, 
ice in a bowl, and a cocktail shaker. 

George 
fumps up as if electrified. 
" Where, in Heaven's name — ? " 

Mrs. Nash 
With her most coquettish battery of 
smiles turned on her husband's mysti- 
fied, radiant face. 

" Oh-h, squirrels are n't the only ones 
who have secret hoards. I knew you 'd 



The American Husband in Paris 117 

come in tired; that Exhibition exhausts 
me in an hour." {Begins shaking 
mixture?) 

George fans himself indolently with 
his handkerchief. Leans his head back 
once more on pink satin sofa-pillow. 
Listens to music of shaker with rapt 
smile. Looks at his wife adoringly. 

George 
" Lou, you 're a good little woman ! " 
(Reaches out arm to clasp her to him.) 

Mrs. Nash 
Sinks into curve of his elbow. Leans 

lovingly against him. Continues 

vigorous shaking. 

" Well, you know, you 're not half a 
bad sort yourself, as our English friends 
put it." 

Pause, during which George wonders 
why Lou can't always be in this mood. 



1 1 8 The American Husband in Paris 

Surveys her with increasing rapture. 
She is turning out beverage. 

George 
After first long draught. 

" By Jove, Lou, you have n't lost your 
touch ! That is the best, the only real 
drink I 've had since I Ve been over ! " 

Mrs. Nash 

Offers him large palm- leaf fan. Perches 
on arm of sofa. Toys with his 
moustache. 
" What do you say, dear, to dining in 

our room to-night ? Then you need n't 

dress until — " ( Checks herself quickly ; 

smiles, to herself, mysteriously.} 

George 
Who only sees smile, again wonders what 
has " come over " his wife. She does 
and says just the right thing. 
" That will be perfect ! The noise, 



The American Husband in Paris 119 

those lights, the music, downstairs, it all 
gets on my nerves these hot nights." 

Mrs. Nash 

Springing up, opening blinds and win- 
dows hastily. 

" Oh ! It is n't really hot ! It 's just 
heavenly June weather. There ! the 
breeze is delicious, coming across the 
gardens. Come ! the balcony is delight- 
fully cool at this early twilight hour." 

George 

Carrying second Remsen Cooler to win- 
dow. Sits down between balcony and 
window ledge. 

"Yes, it is fine. Those trees and 
the light behind, and — and the sunset 
is lovely, is n't it ? " 

Feels combined influence of sunset 
and Remsen Cooler. Sentimentally 



1 20 The American Husband in Paris 

holds his wife's hand. Louisa returns 
pressure, and continues smiling. George 
is too happy to wonder " why." 

Dinner is served. Shaded candles. 
Breeze now coming in finely across 
Tuileries tree-tops. 

George {with enthusiasm) 

"Cold bouillon? Just the thing! 
Who ordered this dinner ? " 

Mrs. Nash {mentally) 

" If I can only keep him in this 

mood ! " {Aloud) " There 's only one 

person I can think of, who has had 

seventeen years' experience of your 

tastes." 

George 

Ecstatically, as waiter brings in silver 

cooler. 

" And champagne frappee, too ! Why, 
Lou, this is ideal ! How did you happen 



The American Husband in Paris 121 

to think of anything so perfect ? Let 's 
always dine up here ! " 

Mrs. Nash 

With mysterious smile. 

" Oh-h, if we dined alone every night 
it would n't seem so nice ; besides, it 
would nt be quite fair to the Goodmans. 
But to-night— " 

George (all innocence) 
" Out to-night, are they? The Judge 
did n't say anything about a dinner. 
Although, yes, now I do remember he 
made mysterious allusions to meeting 
us later." (Suddenly views his wife with 
suspicion.) " But I told him we had 
nothing on for to-night." 

Mrs. Nash still smiles, but concludes 
this is not the right moment to broach 
the great subject. George looks too 
tired as yet. 



122 The American Husband in Paris 

Pause, during which George's suspi- 
cions are quieted. And pate de foie gras 
in aspic fully engrosses his attention. 

George 

Again light-heartedly. 

" Yes, I told him, as we 'd been out 
ten nights running, I thought a man 
who had been sent over on a rest cure 
might be allowed one night off." 

Mrs. Nash {nervously) 

" Nonsense ! No one has enjoyed go- 
ing more than you. Why, last night — " 

George 

" Oh, Coquelin is great enough to 
make even a sleepy man enjoy himself." 

A pause, during which she concludes 
this is the right moment. 



The American Husband in Paris 123 

Mrs. Nash 

" Oh, well, who knows but what to- 
night you '11 be even more amused." 
{Eyes her husband anxiously, though still 
smiles archly?) 

George 
Lays down knife and fork with despair- 
ing gesture. 

" To-night ? What do you mean, 
Louisa ? Surely you 're not going to 
drag me out ! " 

Mrs. Nash {soothingly) 
" No-o. No, dear, of course. I told 
them I did n't believe you 'd feel up to 
going." 

George 

" Them ? Going ? And where ? " 

Mrs. Nash {still softly) 
" You need n't get so excited, dear ; 
it 's very bad for your digestion. Be- 



i 24 The American Husband in Paris 

cause, I Ve already told you I don't 
intend to go unless you feel exactly 
like it." 

George groans. But stays his despair 
with full glass of " The Widow — Extra 
Dry." 

Mrs. Nash 

Now turning on persuasive stop. 

" Of course, as it is the ball of the 
year — " 

George (exploding) 
"A ball!!!" 

Mrs. Nash 

" The Embassy Ball." ( With reproach- 
ful severity^) "And as ardent a patriot 
as you, I should think, would wish to go 
to a ball given by his own representa- 
tive; that is, if he is lucky enough to 
get an invitation." 



The American Husband in Paris 125 

George 
With flicker of hope, 

" But he is n't, you see. We 've had 
no cards." 

Mrs. Nash 

Rises, and extracts two huge white cards 
from secret drawer of escritoire. Holds 
them up triumphantly, 

" Have n't we ? Two weeks ago ! " 

George 
" And you hid them from me ? " 

Mrs. Nash 

Seeing waiter is out of room, slips her 
arm around George s neck. 

" Yes ; so you would n't be bothered 
to decide — until — until" [kisses him 
softly on brow) "this very night." 



1 26 The American Husband in Paris 

George 

Feels resolution melting within him. 

" Oh, well, little woman, if you Ve set 
your heart on going." 

Mrs. Nash {drawing back) 

" I Ve set my heart ? Not a bit of it. 
I 'm quite ready to stop at home and go 
dully to sleep," (sighs) " if you wish." 

George {heroically) 

" Nonsense ! I 'm not as tired as all 
that. We '11 go, and make a night of it. 
But you — have you the right thing ? I 
presume it 's a grand affair, is n't it ? " 

Mrs. Nash 

Not daring to betray her joy ; quietly. 

" Come ; while we 're waiting for coffee ; 
come and see." 



The American Husband in Paris 127 

Leads him into bed-chamber. On 
top of bed George sees a vast foamy 
mass of silver, tulle, and rose-leaves. 
Mrs. Nash shows him "the waist" — a 
bit of tulle, sparkling with light, of the 
size of his pocket handkerchief, with no 
sleeves. She, ejaculating : " Is n't that 
just too exquisite ? And it fits ! ! ! " 

George ponders. Looks suddenly, 
with great intelligence, at foamy mass. 
Remembers " Remsen Cooler," " cham- 
pagne frappee," the late, scarcely di- 
gested dinner, low lights, palm-leaf fan. 
Looks now at his wife as he does on 
those rare occasions when a business 
rival gets the better of him. Puts his 
arm around her as he bursts into 
laughter. 

George 

" Come, we '11 have our coffee, and I 
my cigar, and then we'll go to the 



128 The American Husband in Paris 

Embassy Ball, and I '11 introduce you as 
the cleverest little diplomat in Europe." 



II 

AT THE EMBASSY 

Mrs. Nash has a sense of floating 
through waves of rapture. She is going 
up the great staircase between rows of 
palms, laquais, garlanded balustrades, 
and heaps of other satin and tulle trains. 
But none are so " new " as hers — that 
she sees with immense satisfaction. The 
bursts of music, the lights, the plush 
coats and white calves of the footmen, 
the gayety, sparkle, and animation of the 
scene excite in her the feeling that, at 
last, she is in the right place. She 
always knew she was born for just such 
great occasions. Years seem to have 
slipped off from her. Is wearing her 



The American Husband in Paris 129 

twenty-eight-year-old expression and 
complexion. 

Mrs. Nash 

In tone of great elation. 

" Oh-h, is n't it just splendid, George ? " 
{Immediately imagines herself as the 
coming queen of the scene.) 

George 

More quietly, but with his eyes moving 
quickly, taking it all in. 

"Ye-es, it's a fine sight, and splen- 
didly done. Ah-h, Mr. Grandison, you 
here? How are you? Thought you 
never came to balls ! " 

Shakes hands with tall, lean man with 
an enormous head, and weary, but 
luminous eyes, who looks like a " some- 
body." 
9 



i 30 The American Husband in Paris 

Grandison 

With a touch of deference in his greeting, 

" Ah, Mr. Nash, glad to see you here. 
I did n't know you were over." ( They 
shake hands, and are parted by waves of 
satin trains?) 

Mrs. Nash {petulantly) 

" Why, George, I did n't know you 
knew the Grandisons." {Mrs. Grandi- 
son is now passing them, and overhears.) 

George 
" Well, I don't. I only know Grandi- 



son." 



Mrs. Grandison smiles. Concludes 
Mr. Nash, whom her husband always 
quotes as the " real king of all railroad 
kings," is a clever man. Shall ask 
James to introduce him. Sweeps Mrs. 
Nash with glance of expert social mag- 



The American Husband in Paris 131 

nate. " Pretty, and bright-looking, but 
too well dressed, and much too low," is 
the great lady's verdict. Her own black 
lace gown has survived one New York, 
one Washington, and a London season. 
She now handles it as if it were a relic. 

Mrs. Nash 

With her eyes now fixed up07^ "relic" 
Mrs. Grandison being ahead of them. 

" Why, George, I thought the Grandi- 
sons were enormously rich ! " 

George 
" So they are." 

Mrs. Nash 

Readjusting diamond necklace doing 
duty as shoulder-strap. 

" She dresses as if she were a poor re- 
lation." 



132 The American Husband in Paris 

George {laughing) 

" Well, she can afford to ; she 's at the 
top, and knows it." 

Mrs. Nash feels first fly entering her 
pot of honey. Wishes she were there, 
at the very top, and thus need n't 
scramble and " hustle," and snub and 
consent to be snubbed, any more. Re- 
solves, with her foot on the last stair, 
that when she goes back to New York 
she'll not let the Newborns and those 
stuck-up Kings and all that set — 

Mrs. Nash 

" Ah, there's Miss King now! Dear 
me ! She looks bonier than ever in even- 
ing dress, does n't she ? How are you ? 
Is your mother with you ? Ah, Mrs. 
Trevise, how charming Miss King looks 
to-night ! Pink is so becoming ! Oh ! 
Mr. Trevise. I was just telling your — 



The American Husband in Paris 133 

well — your future mother-in-law how 
lovely the fiancee looks to-night. 
There 's nothing like happiness for a 
beautifier. Ah ! it 's our turn, is it ? ,: 

They squeeze through crowd at door. 
Hear their names called out, to which 
no one listens except the Ambassador 
and Ambassadress. 

Ambassador greets George, to Mrs. 
Nash's immense amazement, with spe- 
cial and distinguishing attention. She 
even catches the words, " Come back 
later, I shall want to present you ; " 
then crowd closes in about her. 

Mrs. Nash 

Having freed herself and George from 
the mass of rich toilettes, uniforms, 
etc., circling about host and hostess. 
Explodes with excitement. 

" Why, George, you never told me ! " 



134 The American Husband in Paris 

George 
Eying the scene with quiet interest 
" Told you what, my dear ? " 

Mrs. Nash 

" Why, that you knew the Ambassa- 
dor ! " 

George 

" Oh ! have n't I ? I 've known him 
— let me see — ever since '79, when 
he was Governor of Illinois." 

Mrs. Nash's attention now concen- 
trated on Mrs. Goodman's new Empress 
Eugenie gown. Sees at a glance that 
the style makes a stout woman look so 
much stouter- — and older. Only thin, 
slender women " can stand " those low 
bodices and flounced fronts. Will order 
one to-morrow, of Worth. 



The American Husband in Paris 135 

Mrs. Nash (to Mrs. Goodman) 

" Well, here you are at last ! How 
smart you are ! really regal, that dress ! 
I had no idea it would be so superb. 
Is n't she looking beautiful to-night, 
Judge?" 

The Judge once more surveying his 
wife's generous — too generous — gift 
to the public of her middle-aged, over- 
developed charms. Meets her eyes, — 
the jolly, honest, loyal eyes, — and finds 
he can't. No, he really can't. 

The Judge 
Relapses into usual mendacities. 

" She 's always beautiful to me, Mrs. 
Nash. And I. know somebody else who 
is giving us an original, — Nattier, for 
instance." {Bows as he administers 
compliment) 



i 36 The American Husband in Paris 

Mrs. Nash knows Nattier by name, 
but can't place him. Is he a modern, 
or one of the older painters? 

Mrs. Nash (coquettishly) 

" Oh, Judge, what a flatterer! All 
you Southerners — Why, there 's young 
Jannet, the New York celebrity; his 
portraits are the rage, you know. How 
do you do, Mr. Jannet ? " 

Jannet, tall, beautifully dressed, beau- 
tifully pale, with beautifully distinguished 
langorous manner. Is wandering about 
trying not to see people, but to be seen. 
Intends to give Mrs. Nash two fingers 
and pass on. 

Jannet 

" Oh, how d' you do ? Crowded, is n't 
it?" 



The American Husband in Paris 137 

Mrs. Nash 

Slips between Judge Goodman and his 
wife. Intends Jannet shall release her. 

" Oh, you here, too ? When did 
you come over?" {Attaches herself to 
painter, who resigns himself, indolently, 
to capture. He intends freeing himself 
from her at first opportunity^ 

Mrs. Nash. In seventh heaven, at 
last ! Conscious of looking her best 
beside so " becoming " a celebrity. He 
is dark, she fair, and both tall. She will 
make the circuit of the great rooms with 
him, — although, of course, she will be 
stopped every five steps. 

Mrs. Nash 

" Ah, yes, the Kings ! That is Miss 
King, in pink. Why pink, of all things ? 
When did you hear of the engagement ? 



138 The American Husband in Paris 

Out, you say, since May? Ah, Mrs. 

Gailey!" 

Jannet 

After comprehensive survey of Mrs. 
Gailey s attractions. Aside. 

" Introduce me." 

Mrs. Nash introduces him. 

Mrs. Gailey 

Fixing intense gaze on painter. 

" Mr. Jannet ! What an honor ! I Ve 
been longing to meet you, for years ! 
Your first picture, your very first, was a 
work of genius. Your last — " 

Suddenly Mrs. Nash finds herself 
alone. Jannet and Mrs. Gailey have 
been swept away, or have swept her 
away. In any case, she is left stranded. 
Burst of music makes her feel still more 
" left." 



The American Husband in Paris 139 

Mrs. Nash {disconsolately) 

" Where is George ? I left him by the 
door. Poor thing, I presume he 's still 
there. Ah, Mr. Trevise ! have you seen 
Mr. Nash ? " 

Trevise 
Barely stops his nonchalant saunter 

through the rooms. 

" Oh-h, ah-h, ya-as, I believe I did see 
him. Is n't that he, with those men ? " 

First Secretary of Legation squeezes 
past, between ladies' trains and black 
coats. Laughs and pats Trevise on 
shoulder. " Those men," my dear boy, 
" are the Russian Ambassador, the Eng- 
lish magnate Lord Waterstock, and the 
German Ambassador." Moves on, 

Trevise (insolently) 
"Ah, wonder what Nash is doing 
among all those swells ! " 



140 The American Husband in Paris 

Mrs. Nash 

Swallows her own surprise, but not 
Trevises impudence ; carelessly. 

" Oh-h, I daresay some one introduced 
him. George — Mr. Nash knows our 
Ambassador. Ah, Judge ! Here 's Mr. 
Trevise wondering how Mr. Nash hap- 
pens to know all those diplomatic gran- 
dees he 's with, over there." 

Trevise slips away after barely nod- 
ding to Judge. 

Judge Goodman {to Trevises back) 

" Young whelp ! Why do you coun- 
tenance such cads, Mrs. Nash? The 
young men of our day — Ah-h, Mr. 
Bluegrass, pleased to meet you. Mrs. 
Nash, permit me to make you acquainted 
with Mr. Reckington Bluegrass, Presi- 
dent of the Central Kentucky Rail- 



The American Husband in Paris 141 

road." [They bow as band bursts into 
Strauss waltz) 

Mr. Bluegrass (ponderously) 

" Honored to meet you, Madam ! 
Your husband here to-night ? " 

Mrs. Nash 

"Yes." (With pride.) "He's over 
there talking to Lord Waterstock 
and — " 

Mr. Bluegrass (to Judge) 

" Goodman, when Mr. Nash has fin- 
ished with these gentlemen, just present 
me, will you? Madam, I have the 
honor to salute you." (Gives grand bow 
from the waist and moves away) 

Mrs. Nash {thinking aloud) 

" I can't imagine what all these people 
are so crazy to meet George for ! " 



142 The American Husband in Paris 

Judge 

His eyes twinkling with suppressed 
humor. 

" Mrs. Nash, if I tell you a great 
secret, — one you 've never even sus- 
pected, — you won't betray me ? " 

Mrs. Nash 

Much excited, wondering if George's 
"past" is about to come out. 

" No, never ! I swear." 

Judge (bending over) 

" Well, your * George/ as you call 
him, is a great man. That is the secret." 

Mrs. Nash 

Recoiling, half disappointed, but mostly 
sceptical. Who knew George as well 
as she ? And would fit she have known 
him as great, if he were, really ? 
" Nonsense ; George is clever and — 



The American Husband in Paris 143 

and in business he has large responsi- 
bilities, of course. But great, as great 
as Mr. Grandison, for instance. Oh 
dear, no ! " 

Judge 

Quietly eying " George " and the thicken- 
ing group about him, 

" Well, some of us think differently. 
Grandison himself concedes Nash is the 
greatest organizer of railroads, and con- 
trols men better than any man in the 
United States, and that 's the reason 
why all these swells — Ah, Mr. Blue- 
grass — Yes, I '11 take you up. Just 
a moment, Mrs. Nash, and I '11 look you 
up again." 

Mrs. Nash cannot believe her senses. 
George a great man ! All those people 
waiting to meet him — and she, alone ! 
No. It 's all a mistake. George Nash is 
posing; he's "trying it on." Suddenly 



1 44 The American Husband in Paris 

catches sight of George. He is centre 
of the circle now, in which fine-looking 
men with silken badges and jewelled 
orders and uniforms are listening gravely, 
for " George " is talking. Seems quite 
at his ease. Looks a trifle flushed ; but 
somehow appears more at home than 
she had ever seen him. {Still alone) 
Experiences sudden and complete 
change of heart. Feels she has never 
fully " appreciated " her husband before. 
Lord Waterstock is shaking hands with 
him now. She moves nearer circle. 
Collides with Miss King. 

Miss King {superciliously) 
" Alone, Mrs. Nash ? " 

Mrs. Nash 

With novel sensation of wifely pride, 

" I 'm looking Mr. Nash up. He has 
been with Lord Waterstock and the 



The American Husband in Paris 145 

Russian Ambassador, and — " (Passes 
on) 

Miss King (stares) 

" Dear me! That sallow, tired, slouchy- 
looking man — what do those people 
see in such a creature ? " 

George 

Breaking away from group. 

" Ah-h, there 's my wife ! Excuse me, 
gentlemen. I see she 's alone ! " (Joins 
Louisa) " Well, little woman, where did 
you wander off to ? " 

Mrs. Nash 

In condition of moral collapse, out of 
which grows, magically, a new elation. 
Takes her husband } s arm with a feel- 
ing that almost borders on deference. 

" I Ve been — " (Laughs a little hys- 
terically) " Why, I Ve been on a little 



10 



1 46 The American Husband in Paris 

voyage of discovery." {Eyes her hus- 
band slyly.) 

George (innocently) 

" Discovery ! What discovery have 
you made ? " 

Mrs. Nash [softly) 
" That I 've married a great man ! " 

George 

" Nonsense ! Who 's been putting 
such absurd notions into your head ? 
Come, let 's go in to supper." 



They are soon lost in the crowd. But 
rs. Nash n 
of her sight. 



Mrs. Nash now does not let George out 




Chapter X 



THE LAST DAY IN PARIS 



ryED-CH AMBER once more dark- 
£ J ened. George this time is in 
among the pillows. His face is a bright 
orange against the sheets. Mrs, Nash 
tiptoes about with anxious face. She 
has forgotten even " how she looks" al- 
though the doctor has only just left. 
Room filled with boxes, bundles, half- 
open trunks, and tissue-papered trays. 

Mrs. Nash 

" Do you feel a little better, George, 
dear ? " 

H7 



148 The American Husband in Paris 

George 

Eyes closed, but in cheerful tones. 

"Oh-h, I 'm all right; it 's all nonsense, 
the doctor keeping me mewed up like 
this." {Feels astonishingly " swimmy " 
as he talks, though) 

Mrs. Nash 

With amazing energy. 
" George, you 're to stay ' mewed up,' 
as you call it, until you are a well man ; 
do you hear ? " 

George 

" I thought we were to go to-morrow 
to Carlsbad. The doctor — " 

Mrs. Nash 

With great scorn, 

" The doctor — as if the doctor knew 
you, or your symptoms, as well as I do ! 
Why, I knew, a week ago, you were 



The American Husband in Paris 149 

coming down with one of your attacks ; 
there, lie perfectly still, and take this." 
{Pours mixture from tumbler down her 
husbayid^s throat?) 

George 

After meekly swallowing something that 
tastes like pumice-stoite, sulphur, and 
decayed vegetables. 

" Well, that ought to kill or cure. 
It 's about the worst — " {Sudden sen- 
sation of drowsiness. During next 
minutes experiences swirls of thought?) 

The scenes of the past week are 
vividly, too vividly, reviewed. Sees 
Exhibition grounds, and the buildings 
loom up like fiery structures. Sees 
himself going through section after 
section. Jewellery, machinery, moun- 
tains and grottoes of wine bottles ; the 
unreal ladies in the " Palais de Cos- 



150 The American Husband in Paris 

tume ; " the real ladies he and Louisa 
Jane meet, later, at luncheon and din- 
ner, "in the grounds;" hears bursts of 
Hungarian music ; sees girl-orchestra — 
particularly handsome girl-leader " first- 
violin " at the Munich Beer-Halle — very 
distinctly ; recalls more vaguely dinners 
at Armenonville and the Terrace at St. 
Germain, where he felt his first chill ; 
remembers how he " would n't tell 
Louisa" next day, because of all the 
" last things " to be done ; vision of 
what those " last things " meant makes 
him feel very "seedy," even now. The 
Louvre (the Magazin this time) three 
hours, or was it thirty? The Bon 
Marche five, all the afternoon, mostly. 
Paquin's, for a last " fitting ; " the boot- 
maker ; Virot's ; back to the Louvre for 
belt buckle, then to the Palais Royal 
arcades for " nouveau art " buckle, as 
the Louvre one " would n't do." Din- 



The American Husband in Paris 151 

ner at eight for ten ; their farewell to 
Goodmans, etc.; and then a blank ! 
How long since then ? A blank now. 



two hours later 

Mrs. Nash 

To Judge Goodman, in drawing-room, 

" I shall take him to Pillbucster, he 's 
the greatest authority in Europe." 

Judge Goodman {anxiously) 

"What does this one say; is he any 
good? These French doctors — " 

Mrs. Nash 

" Oh-h, Dr. Luck is n't French, he 's 
American, on his mother's side; every- 
body goes to him, over here. He thinks 
that George is just run down, and that 
Carlsbad — " 



152 The American Husband in Paris 

The Judge {forgets himself) 

" Run down ? I should think he was ! 
Why, six weeks ago when I first saw 
him — ! " 

Mrs. Nash 

"Oh-h, did you think he looked so 
badly? Well, you see, he wanted to 
see Paris, and I, of course, wanted to 
show him everything, as he 'd never 
been — " 

The Judge {politely but severely) 

" Mrs. Nash, when a man looks as 
your husband did when he landed, he 
needs quiet, not another New York 
season — " 

Mrs. Nash [half weeping) 

" Oh, I do believe you are right ; our 
men do work too hard ; and we get so 
used to their looking sallow and half 



The American Husband in Paris 153 

dead — " (Chokes, and finds she cant 
go on) 

The Judge 

Changes his opinion about Nastis " silly 
little wife? 

"Oh, I don't say it is as bad as all 
that, only I 'd look after him pretty 
sharply, if I were you." (Half jocosely) 
" He 's worth saving, you know." 

Mrs. Nash 

With the look of one who is consecrating 
herself 

" Judge Goodman, he is going to be 
a well man, if I have to give up every- 
thing to make him such." 

The Judge 

Rises. Pats Mrs. Naslts agitated 
shoulders. 

" He '11 come round all right, I dare- 



154 The American Husband in Paris 

say, without you going to extremes of 
self-sacrifice. I '11 look in later." 

(Exit.) 

Mrs. Nash tiptoes across to bed- 
room. As she goes, sees herself " giving 
up " dinners ; all balls, of course ; Paris, 
except for clothes ; George always taken 
over instead of May, direct to his cure, 
with High Alp after-cure, and no "going 
out" afterwards in New York; no, in- 
deed ! Gulps a little as she pictures her- 
self firmly " renouncing " society. She 
intends to live for her husband and 
her children hereafter. Will re-furnish 
morning-room as library, and have 
George read aloud, evenings. Will 
have ball-dresses made over into tea- 
gowns. Gulps once more at second 
picture of herself as " never going out." 

Mrs. Nash (with emotion) 
" Any better, dear ? " 



The American Husband in Paris 1 55 

George 

In his usual strong tones, 

" Right as a trivet ; that stuff has 
worked wonders. We '11 get off to- 
morrow, after all." 

Mrs. Nash 

After critically examining his color. 
Concludes, as he is several shades 
lighter, the doctor is an alarmist, 
after all, 

{Mentally?) " Even if I do give up 
everything, I should think we might 
keep the Opera box." {Aloud) "We 
must wait to hear what the doctor says. 
Do you realize, George, dear, how you 
are going to be nursed and coddled 
hereafter ? ' ! {Kisses him tenderly, with 
a break in her voice?) 



156 The American Husband in Paris 

George 

In his most cheerful tone. 

" It '11 be just as you say, Louisa — 
you're the general, you know!" {Em- 
braces her.) 



THE END 



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